How to defuse tension with China?

By Wenran JiangDec. 17, 2018

At the moment of crisis, strategic vision, leadership and diplomatic skills are needed in defusing the tensions in bilateral ties. Only when cool heads prevail over hot fury, and patience over arrogance on both sides, can we restore Canada-China relations to normality.

The arrest of two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on “national security” related charges happened only days after the “grave consequences” Beijing warned Canada over the Canadian detention and continuous holding of Huawei’s chief fnancial officer Meng Wanzhou. While Chinese authorities insist their detention is not linked to the Meng case, it is hard to imagine they are unrelated. This is a dangerous escalation that could spin out of control if Ottawa takes no decisive actions.

The Liberals will be under attack from all sides in the next election campaign, but Liberals say they have a good story to tell and some say they need to sharpen up their communications strategy before it's too late.